Which team is hurt the most by making the playoffs

[IndyAndy]

It also gives your team more experience. That experience is invaluable to any team that's still finding their way.

Exactly. If a relatively young & still building team can get in with an 8th or 7th seed & make a half-way respectable series of it before getting eliminated in the 1st round, then at least they've hopefully got the 'feel' for playoff hockey - and the nerves out of the way - for the following year's campaign.

 

[dash]

How many teams win through draft picks & how many win through FA acquisition? I mean it's great to see your team get a top 5 pick, but in the end isn't it working the FA market or making that big trade to get the players needed to make a run at the Cup?

I've always been of the belief that you build the core of your team through the draft and you add the supplemental pieces to your team through trades and free agency.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

The team that could be hurt the most by making the playoffs is Edmonton. If they get Jones after winning the lottery for the 4th straight year, they're going to be a force in years to come.

As for my team, I just hope they win another game this season.

 

[Nasty_Magician]

Here's the thing, if you make the playoffs all it takes is a goaltender to get hot for a week or 2 to win a series. If you make the playoffs and have some sort of success that could be the difference between enticing a free agent to sign with your team or not.

 

[DaBoltsNIsles]

Here's the thing, if you make the playoffs all it takes it a goaltender to get hot for a week or 2 to win a series. If you make the playoffs and have some sort of success that could be the difference between enticing a free agent to sign with your team or not.

I don't think Lowebellini are worried about signing veteran UFA's. There plan seems to be draft future superstars & sign guys like Schultz who become UFA's because the CBA makes it possible.

 

[BadMotoWeazal]

I've always been of the belief that you build the core of your team through the draft and you add the supplemental pieces to your team through trades and free agency.

I could see the logic in that.... but the core would have to be long term contracted, wouldn't it? So rookies become veterans....

 

[dash]

I could see the logic in that.... but the core would have to be long term contracted, wouldn't it? So rookies become veterans....

If you take the Hawks as an example, they drafted Toews, Kane, Keith, and Seabrook. I would consider that the core with adding great pieces like Hossa and Sharp through trades, free agency etc. Barring injury, the Hawks should be a contender for the next 10-12 years. That said, they went through some lean years in order to build the current team.

 

[esls79]

If you take the Hawks as an example, they drafted Toews, Kane, Keith, and Seabrook. I would consider that the core with adding great pieces like Hossa and Sharp through trades, free agency etc. Barring injury, the Hawks should be a contender for the next 10-12 years. That said, they went through some lean years in order to build the current team.

Cam Barker says hi from press row.

And why the hell could the Pens and Blackhawks hit rock bottom and both rebuild and win the Cup and Edmonton can't even sniff the playoffs?

 

[BadMotoWeazal]

If you take the Hawks as an example, they drafted Toews, Kane, Keith, and Seabrook. I would consider that the core with adding great pieces like Hossa and Sharp through trades, free agency etc. Barring injury, the Hawks should be a contender for the next 10-12 years. That said, they went through some lean years in order to build the current team.

 

[dash]

Cam Barker says hi from press row.

And why the hell could the Pens and Blackhawks hit rock bottom and both rebuild and win the Cup and Edmonton can't even sniff the playoffs?

Yeah, Barker was a swing and a miss, no doubt.

As for Lowebellini in Edmonton, they just have no clue how to draft players besides 1st overall (with the exception of Eberle). Also, they have yet to bring in anyone close to a Sharp, Hossa, or even Bolland to supplement the young kids.

 

[NullDefault]

Yeah, Barker was a swing and a miss, no doubt.

As for Lowebellini in Edmonton, they just have no clue how to draft players besides 1st overall (with the exception of Eberle). Also, they have yet to bring in anyone close to a Sharp, Hossa, or even Bolland to supplement the young kids.

The additional problem with Edmonton is who do they get rid of in order to make that big trade? Hemsky? Horcoff? Khabibulin? Smyth? Getting rid of their veterans would be a mistake. I think they have a lot of potential going forward but I'm struggling to see character players. Also, is being in Edmonton going to be a hard sell for free agents? I get that the fans are great and there is a rich winning tradition during their cup years, but is that enough?

 

[esls79]

The additional problem with Edmonton is who do they get rid of in order to make that big trade? Hemsky? Horcoff? Khabibulin? Smyth? Getting rid of their veterans would be a mistake. I think they have a lot of potential going forward but I'm struggling to see character players. Also, is being in Edmonton going to be a hard sell for free agents? I get that the fans are great and there is a rich winning tradition during their cup years, but is that enough?

Wait, you're telling me a dvd and a powerpoint presentation wouldn't convince you to spend your winters in Edmonton?

 

[NullDefault]

Wait, you're telling me a dvd and a powerpoint presentation wouldn't convince you to spend your winters in Edmonton?

I don't know...What's on the dvd?